In renovation, the unexpected is a certainty. What sets a controlled site apart is how it anticipates and handles surprises without letting the budget slip. Performance BTP holds the financial helm.
Every serious budget includes a contingency provision (10 to 15%). Behind an old wall may lurk ageing pipework or a failing substrate. This margin is not waste: it is what avoids stopping the site or cutting into essentials when the surprise hits.
Any extra work must be the subject of a written, costed variation, approved before execution — never a verbal agreement that becomes a surprise invoice. Performance BTP frames these variations: justified, properly costed, and compatible with the budget envelope.
Faced with the unexpected, decide quickly and wisely: what must be dealt with, what can wait, which solution offers the best cost/benefit. Informed arbitration avoids both overkill and risk-taking. This is where a supervisor's experience saves money.
On a site in the Paris region, opening a wall revealed a beam weakened by damp, undetectable beforehand. Rather than panic, the call was immediate: targeted reinforcement drawn from the contingency provision, without touching the schedule or the rest of the budget. The site continued without overrun.
Always set aside 10 to 15% of your budget for contingencies, and don't dip into it for last-minute wants. This envelope is your safety net for genuine surprises — not a kitty for extras.
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